At 7 p.m. Jan. 18, 2017 — 40 hours before a dangerous man ascends to the highest post in the nation — come to Gallery Cabaret at 2020 N. Oakley Ave. to drink some beer, hear some stories and raise some money for groups that are going to need it.

But before then, here’s how your words can help a few good groups survive the next four years.

What it is

Welcome to the Neighborhood is hosting a reading with a twist: We want your stories about nonprofits, charities, social organizations and other good groups working in areas the Trump/Pence campaign has targeted. We’re going to get them some money 40 hours before the Trump/Pence campaign becomes the Trump/Pence administration.

The fundraiser itself will be a spoken word/live lit things. While we love the live lit community, we’re also reaching out to people who have never told a story before a crowd once. Submit your 10-minute true stories about the groups you want to support.

You’re picking your favorite nonprofits/charities/social organizations and pitching them to the audience. Tell the crowd why they should become Planned Parenthood escorts, why they should donate to the ACLU, The Center on Halsted or the Union of Concerned Scientists — any group you want to promote, you can.

We want groups who work with immigrants, the queer community, women’s health, free speech, civil rights, science — any nonprofit, charity or social group working in areas the Trump/Pence campaign has targeted.

Given the Trump/Pence rhetoric, that gives you a wide range to work with.

Personal stories work better. It’s one thing to say The Center on Halsted is great, it’s quite a different thing to share how the group saved your life. And you are more than welcome to pitch groups you work for.

How it works

When people come in for a night of fun (7 p.m. Jan. 18, 2017, at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley Ave.) they’ll have a chance to “buy” poker chips. As many as they want to pay for. Then, throughout the night, they can toss those chips in different jars we’ll have for different groups.

A story about refugee rights move you? Toss a chip in the jar for that charity. Really inspired by a gay rights organization? Throw your chips there.

The chip count will determine how we divvy the night’s take.

And that’s it.

If you’re nervous about getting up in front of a crowd, we’ll meet with you, workshop the performance and get you to the point where you can get up there and tell a crowd why they should give their time, money and love to a particular organization. It’s not about you. It’s about putting money and volunteers toward good organizations in what could be their darkest time.